Next Up

Originally hailing from Calgary, Aleah grew up in British Columbia and completed her undergraduate studies in Montreal, Quebec. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Development Studies from McGill University. Throughout her time as a student, she is grateful to have had the opportunity to travel abroad, living briefly in upstate New York, San Francisco, and Sweden.  She developed a passion for social justice at a young age, in large part due to her incredibly supportive family.  She has worked with organizations such as Rotary International, Farm Sanctuary, End Poverty Now, Avaaz.org, and the Climate Project. She served on the Greenpeace USA Student Board from 2009-2011 where she honed her community organizing skills and co-created a training manual for youth to become active leaders in their communities.

Aleah currently works with the Council of Canadians and the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. She is involved with Alberta’s NDP and is also honoured to serve on the board for the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation.

She’s proud to call herself a new Edmontonian and is looking forward to working towards a more inclusive, liveable, participatory community in Edmonton and beyond.  She loves to speak French, watch documentaries, and makes a pretty mean batch of popcorn.

Jerry has been living on Treaty 6 territory for about 6 months now. As a budding therapy dog, Jerry enjoys letting people scratch his belly and ears, chase him in circles, and sneak him chunks of broccoli.

Jerry wants to thank Next Up for letting him hang out and giving him space to chase his tail. 

Bailey moved to Treaty 6 territory (Edmonton) about 6 years ago after growing up in rural Alberta. She graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, with one of her most notable university experiences being working in Washington, DC at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. 

Bailey currently works at the Worker's Compensation Board, assisting injured folks with career counselling services. She is passionate about promoting accessible and inclusive workplaces, safe work environments, and worker's rights. 

If Bailey isn't out walking her dog, Jerry, she is probably trying to sneak her dog somewhere that dogs aren't allowed. Bailey is also passionate about feminist and inclusive comic books, gardening, destroying toxic masculinity via dungeons and dragons, and drinking all the coffe

Quin is an indigenous, two-spirit, non-binary human being promoting self-sovereignty through de/anti-colonial conversation. Raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Quin sought to create environments where indigenous thought and culture were taught as a way of life rather than an "alternative". Providing critical analysis of past and current systems, Quin seeks to provide youth both indigenous and non-indigenous alike with the tools to think globally about their purpose while acting locally. Quin has worked locally within Edmonton with several non-profit organizations and has worked with youth and communities abroad. Bringing the knowledge they have gained from travelling, they work to instill a sense of curiosity with those he meets to help create life-long learners. Quin does this by merging his ancestral teachings with their understandings as a professionally trained life coach, allowing people to access the tools they need to reclaim their rightful place in their communities.

Kyla Pascal is a Métis & Black woman, born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Kyla holds a degree in Political Science and Women & Gender Studies and currently works as the Office Coordinator of the Alberta Public Interest Research Group. At APIRG, she coordinates daily operations, as well as serving as the project lead for long-term social justice projects for racial justice in Alberta's institutions. She has diverse experiences in the non-profit sector including volunteering with Apathy is Boring and the National Black Coalition of Canada. She also has extensive experience in Edmonton's food and coffee industry where she developed her interests in food sustainability, accessibility, and the ways in which food, nutrition, and culture play significant roles in both our personal and political lives. When she isn’t fighting for social justice, you can find her checking out a comedy show or walking her dogs in the river valley. 

Rose-Eva has been able to share her passion for gender equality as a producer for the radio show Adamant Eve. She has been volunteering with CJSR since 2013 - she has enjoyed getting to know all the amazing folks in Edmonton’s feminist community and deepen her understanding of intersectional feminist issues.

She started working in the school system when she moved to London, UK and loved having the chance to learn alongside students of all ages and backgrounds. Since coming back to her hometown, Rose-Eva has had the opportunity to work primarily with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is dedicated to creating a world that is accommodating of all abilities. Recently, Rose-Eva was able to combine her two passions of working with youth and radio in her position as podcast producer at the Centre for Race and Culture.

Rose-Eva identifies as an intersectional feminist and prison abolitionist, who is dedicated to the fight against the capitalist, white supremacist, hetero-patriarchy. Rose-Eva also enjoys cycling through Edmonton’s beautiful river valley as well as cooking (and eating) green onion cakes.

안녕하세요~ and Hello! Hyungu Kang is a first-generation settler to Turtle Island from Seoul, South Korea. Hyungu’s maternal family is from South Korea with paternal ancestry from both sides of the 38th parallel. Hyungu spent his adolescent years on unceded, unsurrendered Mi’kmaq territory of Halifax (K’jipuktuk), Nova Scotia and now lives in Treaty 6 Territory in Amiskwaciy Waskahikan (Edmonton). Hyungu is currently in school studying public health epidemiology at the University of Alberta and intends to work in areas of cultural mental wellness for youth by youth. Hyungu’s current community advocacy work is focused on issues of reconciliation, anti-oppression and decolonization. Hyungu is currently involved with an Immigrant and Youth Mental Health Program and the Youth Reconciliation Initiative team with Canadian Roots Exchange. A 4-season cyclist, Hyungu loves community dinners with friends and family and finds his peace outdoors chasing mountains, rivers, and oceans.